Thousands of suspected drug dealers and users have been killed in the past two years in what police say were shootouts.

Police have rejected accusations by activists that suspects were being systematically executed, based on weak intelligence and with the assumed backing of Mr Duterte.

International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors have launched a preliminary examination to assess whether crimes against humanity may have been committed. Mr Duterte in March cancelled the Philippines' ICC membership in protest.

Mr Albayalde said Mr Duterte's war on drugs would be "recalibrated", and there would be renewed focus and intensity, with "built-in safeguards" to ensure operations were lawful and protected human rights.

A police oversight committee would be formed, he said.

The police chief warned of "frightful" consequences for anyone who continued to sell drugs.

He said police intelligence had identified 893 "high-value targets", warning that they and "their patrons and protectors" would receive a "strong message of the certainty of punishment".

Mr Albayalde said nearly 1.3 million drug users and street peddlers had surrendered, and that they would be strictly monitored, including 215,000 who have undergone rehabilitation.